Trailer



4 1936- c. v. HALLENBECK Re. 20,218 I TRAILER Original Filed Nov. 24,1951 3 sheets-sheet 1- lbl Dec. 29, 1936. c, v, HALLENBECK Re. 20,218

' TRAILER Original Filed Nov. 24, 1931 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ch as; al/$222BY I I ATTORNEY.

\ Dec. 29,1936. c. v. HALLENBECK 20,213

TRAILER Original Filed Nov. 24, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvmon Chas Kfla/knbeck A TrEiNEY. 1

Reissued Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Serial No. 577,089,November 24, 1931.

Application for reissue April 21, 1936, Serial No.

4 Claims.

This invention relates to trailers of that type designed to carry heavyloads and usually drawn by automobile trucks.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a novel trailer ofthe character stated which will embody a deck carrying frame, means foreffecting a four point suspension of the rear end of the frame, andmeans for effecting a one point suspension of the front end of theframe.

The invention has for a further object to provide a trailer of thecharacter stated wherein the means for effecting the four pointsuspension will embody wheels connected in such manner to the frame thatany two or more of them may adapt themselves to the irregularities ofthe road and coact in such manner as to take the entire load exerted atthe rear portion of the frame.

This invention has for a further object, to provide a trailer, of thecharacter stated, wherein the four wheels, which support the rear end ofthe trailer frame are arranged in pairs, each pair carried by an axlefrom which the frame is suspended by two separate springs, each of whichis secured to the axle, adjacent one wheel of the pair, whereby eachwheel can move independently of the other, relative to the plane of theframe, to adapt itself to surface irregularities and whereby the Wheelthat becomes elevated over the other will carry a proportionally greaterpart of the load.

The invention has for a further object to provide a trailer of thecharacter stated wherein the means for efiecting the one pointsuspension will be adapted to be readily secured to the frame of anyautomobile truck without interfering with the body of the truck, andwithout preventing the truck from being used for the various purposesfor which it was designed, the connection of this means to the truckframe transferring a substantial portion of the load of the trailer tothe rear wheels of the truck and thus distributing the load of thetrailer over six wheels which greatly reduces the bearing pressure onthe road.

The invention has for a further object to provide a trailer of thecharacter stated wherein the means for effecting the one pointsuspension will permit the trailer to turn with relation to the truckabout a vertical axis and about horizontal axes longitudinally andtransversely related to the trailer, to the end that the trailer mayswivel, twist and turn while rounding a corner or passing overirregularities of the road.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the nature of which willappear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein:-

Figure 1 is a, top plan view of a trailer constructed in accordance withmy invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the trailer;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the verticalplane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on a planeextending horizontally and centrally through the draw bar of thetrailer;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated bythe line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated bythe lineG-B of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the vertical plane indicated bythe line of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a view partly in vertical section and partly in rearelevation of the means for connecting the draw bar to the frame of anautomobile truck;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the pivoted cross bar of this means;

Figure 10 is a view in rear elevation of the cross bar; I

Figure 11 is a view in side elevation of a portion of the truck frameand the means by which the draw bar is connected to the frame; and

Figure 12 is a view in elevation of the rear end of the trailerillustrating the manner in which the wheels effecting the four pointsuspension are adapted to accommodate themselves to the irregularitiesof the gravel or dirt road.

The trailer comprises a frame consisting of a pair of longitudinal beamsI, a'pair of longitudinal beams 2, a front cross bar 3 and rear crossbars 4 and 5. The beams l are arranged in spaced relation at one side ofthe longitudinal center of the trailer, and the beams 2 are arranged inspaced relation at the other side of such center of the trailer. Thecross bar 3 and the cross bar 4 are secured to the front and rear ends,respectively, of the beams I and 2, and the cross bar 5 is secured tothe beams rearwardly of the transverse center'of the trailer and incomparatively close relation to the cross bar 4.

Oak flooring 6 is secured by bolts 1 to the beams I and 2 between thecross bars 3 and 5 to provide a deck for the trailer. Brackets 8 aresecured to and extend upwardly from the cross bar 5, and brackets 9 aresecured to and extend forwardly from the cross bar 4. The brackets 8 and9 are located close to the beams l and 2, and the brackets 8 are locatedin planes above the brackets 9.

Pairs of leaf springs l0 and II, preferably of the semi-elliptic type,have their front ends pivotally connected, as at l2, to the upper endsof the brackets 8, and have their rear ends connected by links l3 to thebrackets 9. The springs III are carried by an axle l4 supported bypneu-.

matically tired wheels l5, and the springs II are carried by an axle I8supported by pneumatically tired wheels IT. The springs l0 and H aresecured to the axles I4 and I6 by clips l8. The axles l4 and I6 are heldagainst rotation and the wheels l5 and I1 are rotatably mounted thereon,The springs III and II, the axles l4 and I6, and the wheels l5 and I1constitute the means for effecting the four point suspension of the rearend of the trailer.

Brakes are provided for the wheels I5 and IT.

The brakes comprise drums l9 secured to the wheels, bands 28 passingabout the drums, and crank shafts 2| connected to certain ends of thebands and having arms 22 connected to the other ends of the bands. Ashaft 23 located forwardly and transversely of the wheels l5 and I1, isjournaled in bearings 24 secured to the beams I and 2, and is providedwith arms 25 connected by links 26 to the cranks of the shafts 2|. Ahand lever 21 fixed to and extending upwardly from the shaft 23 providesmeans through the medium of which the shaft may be turned to apply orrelease the brakes.

The means for effecting the one point suspension of the trailercomprises a sleeve 28 which extends forwardly from the front end of thetrailer and which is secured thereto by bars 29.

The bars 29 converge forwardly from the beams I and 2 and are secured tothe sides of the sleeve 28. A draw bar 39 is slidably and rotatablymounted in the sleeve 28, and is provided at its front end with an eye3|. The rear end portion of the sleeve 28 is radially enlarged interior-1y, as at 28a, and a portion of the draw bar 39 is reduceddiametrically, as at 39a. Rearwardly of its portion 30a, the draw bar 30is again reduced diametrically, as at 30b. A coil spring 32 is sleevedon the draw bar portion 30a and bears against the shoulder 33 formed byenlarging the rear end portion of the sleeve 28 and against a washer 34mounted upon the draw bar and hearing against the shoulder providedduring the formation of the draw bar portion 30b. A coil spring 35 ofless strength than the spring 32 is sleeved on the draw bar portion 302)between the washer 34 and a washer 36 secured on this draw bar portionby a nut 31.

The means for effecting the one point suspension of the trailer alsocomprises a coupling which includes brackets 38 adapted to be secured tothe side bars of the frame of any automobile truck. Portions of two ofsuch bars are shown in Figures 8 and 11 and are designated 39. Figure 8also shows in dotted lines the differential housing 49, the axlehousings 4| and the rear wheels 42 of the truck. The brackets 38comprise front arms 43 and rear arms 44 which are secured, as at 45, tothe frame bars 39. The arms 43 and 44 of each of the brackets 38converge downwardly,

- and are connected at their lower ends by bars 46 I pendent of theother.

embrace the latter, and the bars 48 are located below the axle housings.The brackets 38 are connected by bars 48 which hold them against anyrelative lateral movement. A shaft 49 10- cated between the bearings 41,is terminally provided with trunnions 59 journaled in the bearings, andis provided at its lower side with a yoke 5|. The eye 3| of the draw bar30 is positioned between the shaft 49 and its yoke 5|, and a verticalpivot 52 carried by the shaft and yoke passes through the eye to connectthe draw bar to the coupling.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, it will be apparent that the trailer body,consisting of the beams I and 2 and the deck 8, has its rear endsupported from the ground at four points and has its front end suspendedfrom the automobile truck at one point.

The two wheels of each pair, l5 and II, are connected to the ends of anaxle, I4 and I6 respectively, from which the frame is suspended by meansof a pair of spaced springs, I0 and II, respectively. Each pair ofwheels is therefore inde- The wheels of each pair are movable toward andaway from the plane of the frame independently of each other. When theroad surface is uneven, one wheel may rise over a hump withoutappreciably affecting the other wheel as the adjacent spring will flexto' permit it to rise. It is apparent that when one wheel of a pairrises above the other, it will assume a greater proportion of the loadcarried by that pair.

In a like manner, when the outer wheel runs off the pavement and onto asoft shoulder the greater proportion of the load will be carried by thewheel which remains on the pavement.

If the shoulder is entirely washed away, the wheel that runs off thepavement will hang from. the trailer frame and the entire load of thatpair will be carried by the other wheel.

Furthermore, should one wheel of one or both pairs thereof sink into adepression or soft ground,

the greater portion of the weight borne by such;

wheel or wheels will be transferred to the wheels remaining on thehigher or more solid ground. This especially adapts the trailer for easymovement over lots, field and unpaved roads. As the pair of wheels l5and II are arranged at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of thebody of the trailer, as the draw bar 30 is located at the front end ofthe body in alinement with such center, and as the body may turn aboutthe draw bar, the trailer may twist or rock about its longitudinalcenter while moving over irregularities of the road, lot, field or thelike. The shaft 49 of the coupling extends transversely of theautomobile truck, and is suspended from the frame of the truck forrocking movement about a horizontal axis so that the trailer and truckmay move upwardly and downwardly independently of each other as theyencounter irregularities of the road.

As the draw bar 30 is connected to the cou-;

pling shaft 49 for movement about a vertical axis, the trailer willreadily turn with relation to the truck when rounding a comer. Theconnection of the coupling to the frame of the automobile truckinterposes the rear springs of the truck. between the trailer andground, and due thereto the one point suspension means is of theyielding type.

Furthermore, this means also includes the rear wheels of the automobiletruck, and as the result,

Cir

provides the trailer body suspending means with six wheels, four at therear end of the body and two at the front end thereof, and transfers asubstantial portion of the load of the trailer to the truck. The springs32 and 34 establish a yielding connection between the trailer and truck.This means and the connection of the trailer to the frame of the truckprevents undue strain on the propelling mechanism of the truckespecially during the starting of the truck. The four point rearsuspension means, and the one point front suspension means, adapts thetrailer for transporting heavy loads at the expenditure of comparativelylittle power and with no liability of the load becoming accidentallydisplaced from the trailer. If desired, clamps of any well-knownconstruction, not shown, may be used to secure the coupling brackets 38to the truck frame bars 39 so as to avoid the necessity of boring boltreceiving openings in the frame bars.

While the principle of the invention, together with the structure whichis now considered the preferred embodiment thereof, has been described,it is to be understood that the structure shown is merely illustrativeand that such changes may be made, when desired, as fall within thescope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

1. A trailer for an automobile truck, comprising a body including pairsof beams located at opposite sides of the longitudinal center thereof,rear cross bars secured to the beams, brackets secured to the foremostof the cross bars, other brackets secured to the rearmost of the crossbars in planes below said first brackets, arcuate springs pivotallyconnected at their front ends to said first brackets, links connected tothe rear ends of the springs and to said second brackets, the springsbeing arranged in pairs and the respective pairs of springs beinglocated at opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the body, anaxle secured to the underside of each pair of springs, wheels journaledon each axle, and means for suspending the front end of the body at onepoint from the truck and in alinement with the longitudinal centerthereof.

2. A heavy duty trailer comprising a frame, means at the front end foreffecting a connection with a tractor, two pair of wheels positioned atthe rear of the frame for supporting the same, an axle for each pair,two independent longitudinal spring means for effecting a suspension ofthe frame from each axle, the two spring means engaging each axle atspaced points and on opposite sides of the middle point thereof, a wheelrotatably connected with each end of the axle, the two point springsuspension permitting each wheel on an axle to move relative to theplane of the frame independently of the other, whereby when one wheel ofeach pair becomes elevated with respect to the other wheel, it willcarry a greater proportion of the load.

3. A trailer for an automobile truck comprising a frame having aplurality of spaced, longitudinally extending beams, a transverse barconnecting the front ends of the beams, a transverse bar connecting therear ends of the beams, a third transverse bar located in front of therear bar and connected with the beams, semi-elliptical springs arrangedin longitudinally extending pairs, positioned above the frame, an axleextending transversely of each pair and secured thereto, a wheelrotatably secured to each end of each axle, the springs of each pairbeing positioned on opposite sides of the center of the axle adjacentthe Wheels, and means for suspending the frame from the ends of thesprings whereby the wheel of each pair that is raised above the otherwill carry a greater proportion of the load.

4. A heavy duty trailer comprising a frame having a plurality oflongitudinally extending beams arranged in pairs, the beams of each pairbeing spaced, transverse bars connecting corresponding ends of thebeams, a semi-elliptical spring positioned above each longitudinallyextending beam, an axle extending transversely of each pair of springs,means for securing the axle to each spring of the pair, a wheel mountedfor rotation at each end of each axle, the wheels on each axle beingseparated by pairs of beams, means for operatively connecting the endsof the springs to the frame, whereby when one wheel of a pair isdepressed relative to the other wheel, the proportion of the loadcarried thereby will be decreased, and means on the frame for connectionwith a tractor.

CHARLES V. HALLENBECK.

